We are delighted to share this case study. This wonderful new primary school building forms part of the expansion of William Morris Primary school in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The project was delivered with the GLF Schools Academy Trust and Oxfordshire County Council to replace existing temporary buildings and to expand the school roll to meet the increasing demand in the local area for school places. 

The project included the demolition of the temporary building and the construction of a new building to provide Key Stage 2 classrooms, a staffroom and associated support and teaching spaces. The proposals also involved significant remodelling and refurbishment of the existing classrooms within the original part of the school to improve the layout to reflect changing requirements in education. 

A full case study and photographs can be found at https://thinking-buildings.co.uk/education_community/william-morris-primary-school-oxfordshire/

The new building design is simple in form yet playful and vibrant in its use of materials and colour. Vertical strips of timber cladding and coloured cladding panels contrast beautifully with a red brickwork core, forming a striking relationship with the mature trees and vegetation within the site. Coloured roof ventilation cowls express the building’s ventilation strategy. 

The project has been a great success with a fantastic client and project team working together to deliver an outstanding new facility for this ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED rated school. The project team included SOLID Structures & Infrastructure, CBG Consultants Ltd, SKP3 Ltd and was constructed by Beard.